The Madrid football derby was interrupted after Atlético fans threw objects onto the pitch

MADRID (AP) — The city derby between hosts Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid was briefly interrupted Sunday after Atletico fans threw objects onto the field.

The referee stopped the Spanish league game and sent the players to the locker rooms at the Metropolitano around the 70th minute before play resumed after around 15 minutes.

Madrid had just scored the first goal of the game with Éder Militão celebrating near the touchline in front of the Atlético fans.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois drew the referee's attention to the objects thrown onto the pitch, including lighters.

Atletico defender José María Giménez and midfielder Koke Resurrección spoke to fans in the area behind Courtois' goal. This section usually contains the more radical Atlético supporters.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone also repeatedly asked the fans to behave.

An announcement was made over the stadium's loudspeaker that the game was suspended for 15 minutes and that it would be suspended if the problem persisted.

The disruption came a day after the Spanish league said it would ask police to take action against the organizers of a social media campaign that the league said was aimed at encouraging racist acts against Vinícius Júnior at the derby.

The social media campaign was based on a hashtag that urged Atletico fans to wear face masks, apparently to make it harder for authorities to identify people engaging in racist chants or insults.

Social media videos showed Atletico fans chanting “Vinícius is different” before the game.

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